THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Bt5.6 bn to put smaller cities on map

Bt5.6 bn to put smaller cities on map

SOME Bt5.65 billion will be spent on improving roads in rural areas by 2023 as part of efforts to promote tourism in secondary cities.

The funds will go on 335 projects that come under two main road development schemes to benefit 55 smaller cities.
The director-general of the Department of Rural Roads (DRR), said that one of the schemes covers the so-called Thai Riviera, which incorporates coastal provinces in the South; Bt1.83 billion will go towards 111 projects there. The other scheme will see spending of Bt3.82 billion for 224 projects in the 55 provinces with the secondary cities.
Approval for the funding plan follows a May 2 meeting with between representatives of the DRR and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The spending is in line with a master plan set out under the national strategies on tourism. The masterplan covers the period to 2037.
 “The DRR has proposed setting aside the Bt5.65 billion from the central expenditures budget for the fiscal year 2019 for these two main scheme, with the project period covering 2019 to 2023,” Kritthep said.
The budget will be used to finance construction, maintenance and safety features on tourism routes in these 335 projects. The upgrading of main and local roads fits in with plans for connecting the roads with double-track railway lines and a high-speed railway. The Thai Riviera scheme is being developed under a collaboration involving several agencies, Kritthep said.
The first phase will provide for the development of the 659-kilometre coastal road in the South, from Samut Songkram to Chumphon, costing Bt4.67 billion. The DRR will be responsible for 126 kilometres of the road. The second phase will involve the development of a 555-kilometre coastal road network in the South, an extension of Chumphon-Songkhla.
 

nationthailand